APPENDIX F

Charge for Transition Consultants

Charge

You are a group of individuals called to walk with parishes in transition. The primary questions that you will help faith communities focus on throughout the Transition Process are:

·  What is God doing in our neighborhood?

·  How can we participate?

As Transition Consultants, we pray, study, and work together. We are called to expand our understanding of Missio Dei and heighten our ability to translate God’s invitation in practical ways for parishes in transition.

Seeking a new Rector is an opportune period in the life of every faith community. The world has changed for them, and as their leader through this time of transition, you are in a graced position to affect what’s next through a significant sacred ministry. You will collectively step back and:

·  Rediscover missional identity

·  Reengage the neighborhood where the church is planted

·  Reimagine how these disciples are called to participate in God’s restorative reconciling work

·  Recruit, identify, and support the call of new leadership — ordained and lay — to help shape and shepherd the focus on the future

In pairs, we enter into relationship with faith communities, acting as guides and companions, to help them discern God’s mission and move through a facilitated process to call their next Rector.

Works With

·  Bishop of Record

·  Canon for Mission Leadership (CML)

·  Administrator for Transitions & Clergy Support

·  Wardens and Vestry

·  Parish leaders

·  Companion Transition Consultants (pairs & Cohort)

Leadership Gifts

·  Facilitation and comfort with public speaking

·  Ability to guide large and small group discussion and dynamics

·  Conflict management

·  Familiarity with and commitment to consensus based decision-making

·  Comfortable with ambiguity and open-endedness

·  Ability to encourage, inspire, and affirm faith communities

·  Ability to develop trust and intentionally build community

·  Curriculum delivery and/or development

·  Organizational/leadership development

·  Ability to guide open-ended processes (setting aside personal agendas)

·  Commitment to empowering the people of the parish

·  Creativity, humor, patience, and a sense of possibility

Expected Commitment (12-18 months)

·  Planning Time with Companion Transition Consultant

·  Regular Transition Consultant Cohort meetings/continuing ed/feedback

·  From weekly to less frequent meetings with parish Transition Teams

·  Meetings with Vestry

·  Meetings with Parish

·  Check in with CML